Taste of Autumn brings delicacies

Thursday

Oct 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Nancy Hastingsnhastings@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE – With the advent of autumn comes tastes of apples, cordials, savories, ciders, breads and more.These tastes can be sampled when the Friends of St. Peter’s Free Clinic host their annual Taste of Autumn benefit Saturday at Hillsdale College’s Dow Center.The event, which is in its ninth year, benefits St. Peter’s Free Clinic and offers a taste of more than 20 area eateries. At the fundraiser, members of the community come and sample a variety of foods from area restaurants with proceeds helping those in need.Doors open at 7 p.m.The clinic’s mission is to provide uninsured, under-insured, low-income individuals and families with free medical care. Help with medications is available, when appropriate.Clinic Director Jill Pavka said past participants have made it a point to clear their calendar for the night ever since the dinner’s inception. A wine-tasting and cash bar will also be part of the dinner.“It’s been a popular event for us,” Pavka said. “We capped it at 250 again this year, but there are still some tickets available — people can get those by calling the clinic at 437-4041.”During the event, tickets will be sold for the quilt raffle. A large quilt measuring 94 inches by by 104 inches was made by the Sewing House Quilters group.“It’s a beautiful quilt that features butterscotch and caramel colors, so it’s neutral and would go with anything,” Pavka said. “Those tickets sell for $5 each and can also be obtained by calling the clinic.”The annual event goes a long way toward defraying the costs of the clinic, according to Friends of St. Peter’s Free Clinic Chair Kristin Lucas. In addition to funding a couple of staff positions, proceeds go toward keeping medications stocked at the clinic, Lucas said.“The Friends group started 10 years ago,” Lucas said. “It seemed clear that we needed it since there are so few grant possibilities. We knew we had to raise money locally or there wouldn’t be a clinic. Over half the budget is still raised locally.”Lucas said the event is sponsored by many area businesses and industries who sponsor from levels ranging between $125 to $1,500.Plans for the annual event begin formulating in the spring of the year with Friends committee members meeting once a month for six months at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.The cost for Saturday’s event is $40 per person and $320 reserves a table for eight. Food vendors will offer one taste per person with unlimited soft drinks and water.New vendors this year include Here’s To You Pub & Grub, Coney’s and Swirls and Grab & Go Sahara Deli.Business owners say they like being involved in the event, knowing proceeds go toward helping those who don’t have insurance.Lucas said Jonesville National Honor Society members will again serve as waiters and provide clean up for the event.“They really look forward to the event and work throughout the whole evening clearing tables and helping the vendors set up and serve, Lucas said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”